D227: Lathkill Valley from the south

From the car park,turn left and up to junction with Back Lane.  Note the remains of mine working on your right (High Rake).  Cross the road and take the path opposite (Limestone Way) heading WNW across fields.  Go through the nature reserve at Low Moor and skirt around to the right of Calling Low Farm buildings.  Head through a small wood to emerge out on to fields with the land dropping away below.  Continue WNW to reach Cales Dale.  Take the limestone steps down (care!) into Cales Dale itself.  If the weather is good you will have an excellent view of Lathkill Dale to your right.  at the bottom, take the right fork (NW) from the signpost to Lathkill.  Cross the footbridge at the bottom to join the main path through the valley..  Turn right and follow this path eastwards beside the river.  Watch out for dippers in the clear water and  note places where the river has been harnessed in earlier times to power the industry that once flourished in the valley.

About a mile and a half down the valley, you will see a bridge over the river and a ruined house over the other side.  This is Bateman's House - check it out for some hidden surprises.  Then cross back to the north bank and continue eastwards.  You will soon see a couple of unimpressive looking depressions on your left.  These are sink holes, but unique ones in that the water sinks through tufa not holes in the limestone and flows below river level.  Continue until you see a side path on the left leading up to a derelict engine house.  Follow this side path to see the remains of the once-mighty Mandale Mine.  As you rejoin the main path, you can see the remains of the leat along which water pumped from the mine was returned to the river.  Travelling on eastwards, the path becomes increasing well paved, eventually becoming a roadand emerging to meet a road coming down from Over Haddon at some houses.  Here cross the river by the old stone bridge and follow the zig-zag track uphill to the top.  Go through the gate into an open field and head half left to the farm buildings (Meadow Place Grange).  Go through the farm yard and head slightly left to pick up the path opposite.  It is almost impossible to avoid mud as you head up to the field gate. Pass through into the field and head uphill SSW across several fields to reach Back Lane at a stile.  Cross Back Lane and take path opposite going SSE.  Continue into a wood and note the large hole on your left, remains of High Rake.Continue across field to reach Moor Lane and turn right to reach the car park again.